Flex faucet



Aug. V31, 1965 E. J. GRANT ETAL FLEX FAUCET Filed Feb. 18, 1963INVENTORS EDWARD J. GRANT and GLENN T. RIEKE United States Patent O3,203,665 FLEX FAUCET Edward J. Grant, Racine, Wis., and Glenn T. Rieke,Auburn, Ind., assignors to Rieke Metal Products Corporation, Auburn,Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Feb. '18, 1963, Ser. No. 259,245 2Claims. (Cl. 251-351) This invention relates generally to closures forcans and drums and more particularly relates to a flexible spigot or acontractible spigot closure combination or an extensible and retractablepouring spout for use with such cans and drums.

Extensible and contractable flexible pouring spout or spigot structuresare known in the art for use with cans and drums. Prior art structures,however, do not incorporate easily and conveniently operated means forshutting off or starting ow from such flexible pouring spouts orspigots. Consequently, a primary object of the present invention is toprovide a container-closure spout combination which is easily andconveniently operated to shut oi or turn on flow from the container.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a closurearrangement which is generally iiush with the container during shipmentand storage and which, therefore, permits rough handling, storage andshipment of many such containers in confined spaces without damage tothe closure arrangement, said closure arrangement also including anextensible and controllable spout or spigot for ease in dispensing thecontents of the container.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a spout or spigotwhich can be aimed in the direction iiow is desired prior to turning onthe ilow.

Related objects and advantages will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds.

One embodiment of the persent invention might include a normally nestingextensible plastic closure for containers, said closure having a firstbody portion with an outer periphery secured to the container for exingbetween a nesting position within the container and an extended positionoutside of the container, a second generally cylindrical rigid bodyportion integral with said iirst body portion and extending toward theinside of said container from the inner periphery of the rst bodyportion, said second body portion having a closed inner end and havingholes in the sidewalls thereof, a spout or spigot extending out of saidsecond body portion and having a cylindrical stern telescoped withinsaid second body portion, said spout being movable axially of saidsecond body portion to a irst position wherein the stem covers the holesand communication between said container and spout is blocked, saidspout being movable axially of said second body portion to a secondposition wherein said stream uncovers said holes so that communicationis effected between said container and spout..

The full nature ofthe invention will be understood from the accompanyingdrawings and the following description and claims.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of a container incorporat ing the enclosureof the present invention and showing the closure in retracted sealedcondition.

FIG. 2 is a View similar to FIG. 1 but showing the closure in extendedposition with the spout thereof pulled out to a turned on position.

FIG. 3 is a section through the structure of FIG. l taken along the axisof the spout stern.

FIG. 4 is a similar section but shows the structure in the operatingposition of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the structure as viewed from the left sideof FIG. 4.

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FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the structure as viewed fromabove FIG. 5.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a containerl@ which may be a drum, barrel or the like and which has an opening 11(FIG. 4) provided therein and surrounded by an upturned tlange 12. Abody 15, preferably formed of a semi-resilient material such aspolyethylene plastic or rubber composition is mounted within the opening11 and is secured in place by a suitable clamping ring 16 which not onlyclamps the resilient material of the body to the flange 12 but whichalso receives a sealing member 17 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

The body includes a somewhat frustro-conical rst body portion 20 joinedat its inner periphery 21 to a rigid generally cylindrical second bodyportion 22. The body 15 is so formed that when the pouring spout orspigot 25 is not in use, it may be nested Within the container as shownin FIGS. l and 3. This may be accomplished by forcefully pushing thespout or spigot 25 inwardly of the container so that the rst bodyportion 2l) exes about its outer periphery so as to extend inwardly ofthe container as shown in FIG. 3. By pulling out on the spout 25 afterremoving the sealing member 17, the first body portion 20 can be causedto tlex about its outer periphery to project outwardly of the containeras shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Because the second body portion 22 is rigid,it retains the same generally cylindrical shape when the rst bodyportion is in either of the above positions.

It can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 that the second body portion 22 has aclosed inner end 26 and has holes 27 around the second body portionspaced from the end 26 and of sufcient size to flood or ll the spout 25when the container is positioned with the spout stem 30 extendinghorizontally and positioned below the level of liquid within thecontainer. The second body portion 22 has its smallest internal diameterat 31, has a somewhat greater internal diameter at 32 and is internallythreaded at 33. The internal threads 33 terminate in a bead 35 whichextends completely around the body portion 22 and acts as a stop for thestem 30. The stem 30 of the spout 25 has a cooperating stop 36 whichextends completely around the external periphery of the stem and whichlimits projection or withdrawal of the spout past the projected positionillustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. It can be seen that when the spout isin the position of FIG. 4, the holes 27 provide communication betweenthe interior of the container and the spout.

The stem 30 has a bead 37 formed on its external periphery. The outernon-stressed diameter of the bead 37 is slightly greater than theinternal non-stressed diameter of the second body portion at 31 so that,when the stem 30 is in the position of FIG. 3, leakage is prevented fromthe holes 27 into the stem. This structure also prevents leakage betweenthe stem and the portions 32 and 33 of the second body portion 22 whenthe spout is withdrawn as in FIG. 4.

The spout 25 has an extending end portion 40 which projects at rightangles to the axis of the cylinrical stem 30. Formed on the distal endof the spout 25 are oppositely projecting finger tabs 41. The endportion 40 of the spout is formed internally with straight ribs 42arranged at angles around the inside of the portion 40 and extending inthe same direction as the portion 430. The ribs 42 function to preventswirling of the liquid ilowing through the spout.

The spout 25 can be moved inwardly of the container from the positionshown in FIGS. 2 and 4 by merely pushing the spout forcefully in theinward direction. The stem 30 is thereby caused to telescope in thesecond body portion 22 until the threads 45 on the external periphery ofthe stem engage the threads 33. When this occurs,

3 the stem 30 will cover the holes 27 and the bead 37 will be positionedbetween the end 26 of the second body portion and the holes. Thus, flowis cut off from the holes to the interior of the spout by merely pushing`inwardly possibly by grasping the spout by the finger tabs 41.

If this step is reversed, the spout can be turned on by merely a singlestraight outward pull. It should be mentioned that the bead 36 has aslightly larger external nonstressed diameter than the internalnon-stressed diameter of the portion 32 so that when the spout is pushedinwardly to cut off ow, the beads 36 prevent flow between the stem andthe second body portion.

The spout 25 can be moved to still a further position which is theposition of FIG. 3 wherein the threads 45 are screwed into the threads33. The position of the spout in FIG. 3 further insures that the closureis throroughly sealed and leak-proof and is the ususal shipping positionof the spout. The screwed in position of FIG. 4 is the usual position inwhich the body 15 will be flexed between its inward and outwardpositions of FIGS. 3 and 4 although such flexing can also beaccomplished with the spout unscrewed as in FIG. 4. The body 15 isprovided with an integral stop 50 at the junction of the first andsecond body portions. The spout 25 is also provided with an integralstop 51. The stops 50 and 51 engage one another when the spout iscompletely screwed in to prevent over screwing and stress cracking ofthe spout and body.

It will be evident from the above description that the spout can beaimed prior to its turning on. This is accomplished by unscrewing thespout, by aiming the projecting end portion 40 of the spout in thedirection desired and by then pulling the spout outwardly of thecontainer so that liquid iiow is turned on.

While the invention has been disclosed and described in some detail inthe drawings and foreging description, they are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, as modifications mayreadily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art and within thebroad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appendedclaims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A normally nesting extensible plastic closure for containersincluding a body having a first body portion with an outer peripheryadapted to be secured to the container for exing between a nestingpostion within the container and an extended position outside of thecontainer, said first body portion having an inner periphery, agenerally cylindrical second rigid body portion integral with said firstbody portion and extending inwardly of said container from the innerperiphery of said first body portion, said second portion having aclosed inner end and having holes in the sidewall thereof, a spoutextending out of said second body portion, said spout including acylindrical stem telescoped within said second body portion, said spoutbeing movable axially of said second body portion to a first positionwherein said stern covers said holes and communication between saidcontainer and said spout is blocked, said spout being movable axially ofsaid second body portion to a second position wherein said sternuncovers said holes so that communication is effected between saidcontainer and spout, said second body portion being internally threadedalong a portion thereof adjacent said first body portion, said stembeing externally threaded whereby said spout can be screwed inwardly ofsaid container into said second body portion from said first position,said second body portion having an internal bead adjacent its threadsand said stem having first and second external beads, said first beadbeing disposed inwardly of said internal bead and engageable therewithfor stopping said spout in said second position and in pressure andsealing engagement with the internal surface of said second body portionto provide a fluid seal between said second body portion and said sternwhen said holes are covered or uncovered, and said second bead beingdisposed at the inner end of said stem in pressure and sealingengagement with the internal surface of said second body portion toprovide a uid seal between said body portion and said stem when saidholes are uncovered, said spout having an extending end portion externalof said second body portion and projecting at right angles to the axisof said cylindrical stem, said spout being rotatable in said second bodyportion between said first position and said second position for aimingsaid spout, outwardly projecting finger tabs extending from the distalend of said spout, and cooperating stop members on said stem and bodyfor limiting threading of said stem into said second base portion.

2. A normally nesting extensible plastic closure for containers having afirst body portion with an outer periphery adapted to be secured to thecontainer for exing between a nesting position within the container andan extended position outside of the container, said first body portionhaving an inner periphery, a generally cylindrical second rigid bodyportion integral with said first body portion and extending inwardly ofsaid container from the inner periphery of said first body portion, saidsecond portion having a closed inner end and having holes in thesidewall thereof, and a spout extending out of said second body portion,said spout including a cylindrical stem telescoped within said secondbody portion, said spout being movable axially of said second bodyportion to a first position wherein said stem covers said holes andcommunication between said container and said spout is blocked, saidspout being movable axially of said second body portion to a secondposition wherein said stem uncovers said holes so that communication iseffected between said container and spout, said second body portionbeing internally threaded along a portion thereof adjacent said firstbody portion, said stem being externally threaded whereby said spout canbe screwed inwardly of said container into said second body portion fromsaid first position, said second body portion having an internal beadadjacent its threads and said stem having first and second externalbeads, said first bead being disposed inwardly of said internal bead andengageable therewith for stopping said spout in said second position andin pressure and sealing engagement with the internal surface of saidsecond body portion to provide a uid seal between said second bodyportion and said stern when said holes are covered or uncovered, andsaid second bead being disposed at the inner end of said stem inpressure and sealing engagement with the internal surface of said secondbody portion to provide a fluid seal between said body portion and saidstem when said holes are uncovered, said spout having an extending endportion external of said second body portion and projecting at rightangles to the axis of said cylindrical stem, said spout being rotatablein said second body portion between said first position and said secondposition for aiming said spout.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 247,668 9/ 81Loftus 251-353 XR 1,468,949 9/23 Koch 251-353 XR 2,013,822 9/ 35Bradbury 251-284 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 177,689 2/54 Austria.

529,485 6/54 Belgium. 1,087,986 8/60 Germany.

WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner.

ISADOR WEIL, Examiner.

1. A NORMALLY NESTING EXTENSIBLE PLASTIC CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERSINCLUDING A BODY HAVING A FIRST BODY PORTION WITH AN OUTER PERIPHERYADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO THE CONTAINER FOR FLEXING BETWEEN A NESTINGPOSTION WITH IN THE CONTAINER AND AN EXTENDED POSITION OUTSIDE OF THECONTAINER, SAID FIRST BODY PORTION HAVING AN INNER PERIPHERY A GENERALLYCYLINDRICAL SECOND RIGID BODY PORTION INTEGRAL WITH SAID FIRST BODYPORTION AND EXTENDING INWARDLY OF SAID CONTAINER FROM THE INNERPERIPHERY OF SAID FIRST BODY PORTION, SAID SECOND PORTION HAVING ACLOSED INNER END AND HAVING HOLES IN THE SIDEWALL THEREOF, A SPOUTEXTENDING OUT OF SAID SECOND BODY PORTION, SAID SPOUT INCLUDING ACYLINDRICAL STEM TELESCOPED WITHIN SAID SECOND BODY PORTION, SAID SPOUTBEING MOVABLE AXIALLY OF SAID SECOND BODY PORTION TO A FIRST POSITONWHEREIN SAID STEM COVERS SAID HOLES AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAIDCONTAINER AND SAID SPOUT IS BLOCKED, SAID SPOUT BEING MOVABLE AXIALLY OFSAID SECOND BODY PORTION TO A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN SAID STEM UNCOVERSSAID HOLES SO THAT COMMUNICATION IS EFFECTED BETWEN SAID CONTAINER ANDSPOUT, SAID SECOND BODY PORTION BEING INTERNALLY THREADED ALONG APORTION THEREOF ADJACENT SAID FIRST BODY PORTION, SAID STEM BEINGEXTERNALLY THREADED WHEREBY SAID SPOUT CAM BE SCREWED INWARDLY OF SAIDCONTAINER INTO SAID SECOND BODY PORTION FROM SAID FIRST POSITION, SAIDSECOND BODY PORTION HAVING AND INTERNAL BEAD ADJACENT ITS THREADS ANDSAID STEM HAVING FIRST AND SECOND EXTERNAL BEAD SAID FIRST BEAD BEINGDISPOSED INWARDLY OF SAID INTERNAL BEAD AND ENGAGEABLE THEREWITH FORSTOPPING SAID SPOUT IN SAID SECOND POSITION AND IN PRESSURE AND SEALINGENGAGEMENT WITH THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF SAID SECOND BODY PORTION TOPROVIDE A FLUID SEAL BETWEEN SAID SECOND BODY PORTION AND SAID STEM WHENSAID HOLES ARE COVERED OR UNCOVERED, AND SAID SECOND BEAD BEING DISPOSEDAT THE INNER END OF SAID STEM IN PRESSURE AND SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITHTHE INTERNAL SURFACE OF SAID SECOND BODY PORTION TO PROVIDE A FLUID SEALBETWEEN SAID BODY PORTION AND SAI DSTEM WHEN SAID HOLES ARE UNCOVERED,SAID SPOUT HAIVNG AN EXTENDING END PORTION EXTERNAL OF SAID SECOND BODYPORTION AND PROJECTING AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE AXIS OF SAID CYLINDRICALSTEM, SAID SPOUT BEING ROTATABLE IN SAID SECOND BODY PORTION BETWEENSAIDFIRST POSITION AND SAID SECOND POSITON FOR AIMING SAID SPOUT, OUTWARDLYPROJECTING FINGER TABS EXTENDING FROM THE DISTAL END OF SAID SPOUT, ANDCOOPERATING STOP MEMBERS ON SAID STEM AND BODY FOR LIMITING THREADING OFSAI DSTEM INTO SAID SECOND BASE PORTION.